Inclusion in Action Day 06-06-06

06-06-06 is a memorable date for Children's Services. It is our 'inclusion in action day.' As you will be aware, we have a new working definition of inclusion which states that:

"inclusion is the process of taking necessary steps to ensure that every young person is given an equality of opportunity to develop socially, to learn and to enjoy community life."

The challenge of any new definition or policy is to make sure it is widely understood and actively underpins the working practice of all staff, rather than simply becoming another piece of paper in a folder. Norfolk County Council Children's Services is committed to inclusion and we are determined that this definition will become embedded within our new structure and principles of practice.

Our inclusion in action day is one of the steps we are taking to ensure understanding of this definition and to get children and young people talking about inclusion.

We are encouraging staff who regularly visit schools to contact one of their schools to ask to meet with a group of children or young people and run a 'circle time' or focus group on 6th June. The purpose of the discussion is to get the views of children and young people of all ages, about the WORDS, FEELINGS and PICTURES that they associate with inclusion in action.

In the autumn term, we will publish a summary of the children and young people's words and use them to write a majority 'sound bite' definition which will be used alongside the above definition. We will also publish the feelings and pictures described on that day online and in the SEN regional partnership newsletter.

We also aim to ensure that, these words, feelings and pictures inform our own targets around inclusion in action, and will help us to share with you and other partners what inclusion really means and could look like, according to our children and young people.

All schools and learning providers also have the opportunity to facilitate circle time or focus group sessions, as part of this day. If you want to facilitate a group, we will give you a 'research pack' with everything you need, including scripts, proformas, stickers and additional resources. For more information you can speak to Children's Services staff who visit the school regularly or contact Judith Carter (Senior Educational Psychologist Inclusion) or Terry Cook (Principal Adviser Inclusion) on 01603 433276.

This is an exciting and innovative approach to involving children and young people in our discussions around inclusion in action, as well as an opportunity to promote our shared understanding of this working definition. I encourage you to take part in this day, either by directly facilitating a circle time or focus group session yourselves throughout your school, or by agreeing for a member of Children's Services to facilitate a session with one class or small group.